October 5th was the 2019 ARRL ARES Simulated Emergency Test.  Centre County amateur radio operators participated in the SET from 11:00 to 13:00.  We simulated a flooding disaster to test communications throughout the Western Pennsylvania in a disaster.

Amateur Radio Operators staffed the following locations that would usually be Amreican Red Cross mass care centers:

• Howard Fire Company, Howard, PA
• Bald Eagle Area High School, Wingate, PA
• Philipsburg Osceola Area High School, Philipsburg, PA
• Park Forest Elementary School, State College, PA

Additionally, the Penn State Amateur Radio Club (PSARC) activated its station in Wagner Building on campus and the Nittany Amateur Radio Club (NARC) station in Pine Grove Mills was activated.  The mass care centers communicated via the 146.85, W3YA repeater to the NARC station.  The NARC station used 80 meters to communicate with the WPA net control stations (NCS).  PSARC also used 80 meters.

Eleven drill messages were passed from the mass care centers through NARC to the WPA NCS, most for relay to the American Red Cross in Pittsburgh.  Both ARRL Radiogram and ICS-213 formats were used.

Particiipating amateur radio operators were:

• K3CWP, Carmine, NARC Station
• K3OOL, Craig, NARC Station
• KB1BX, Ken, NARC Station
• KC3GLR, Gene, NARC Station
• K3ROG, Rick, PSARC Station
• KC3EHQ, Scott, Howard Fire Company
• KB3VDG, Ryan, Bald Eagle High School
• KC3KVS, Bob, Philipsburg Osceola High School
• AD3K, Bob, Park Forest Elementary School

WPA Section Manager Joe, W3BC also came to NARC to participate and inject several messages.

The event was successful and is the first time in years that Centre County has participated in a SET to this extent.  Our thanks to the above hams to took the time to participate.  Also the the Section Manger for his support and NARC and PSARC for permission to use their stations.